A study of the effects of several bone-enhancing agents

ABSTRACT

Several agents are in use to promote new bone formation during bone graft procedures in maxillofacial region. Among them, we have used crude BMP, PRP, and P-15 for experimentally created defects with accompanying graft materials in the rabbit model. The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of above mentioned agents on bone formation using histologic and histomorphometrical methods, thus to provide experimental support for clinical application of these agents. Six rabbits were used as experimental animals. Four surgical defects were created on the distal femoral heads of each animal using trephine drill. The defects were filled with each agents with accompaning graft materials as experimental groups and particulate cortico- cancellous autogenous graft as control. For histomorphometric analysis, fluorescent dye was injected at 2week and 1week before sacrifice. Then, the animals were sacrificed at 2, 4 and 8weeks after surgery and histologic and histomorphometric examinations were achieved. At two weeks after bone graft, bone formation and active remodeling process were examined in all experimental groups and the control. But the intensity of such activities of the experiments were somewhat weaker than that of the control. In BMP group, the amount of newly formed osteoid was increased constantly and the amount was preserved constantly in PRP group. But in P-15 group, the amount of newly formed osteoid was decreased with time to 8week after surgery. Histologic findings showed superior bony quantity and quality in PRP group than that of P-15 group. MAR(Mineralization Apposition Rate) of all experimental groups were slower than that of control group. In P-15 group, constant foreign body reaction was observed at all periods and the graft material showed inwardly destroyed characteristics rather to mature. The data from this study provide the basis for future studies for evaluating the long-term remodeling process and foreign body reactions observed in P-15 group and clinical study for predictable use of these agents.